Time will tell how new Canton council works with mayor

The new year means four new Canton City Council members. Time will tell how well the new members work and mesh with the rest of council and the city administration. Each of the four is new to elected office, but they have had varying levels of exposure to local politics.

Kevin Fisher, D-5, and Frank Morris, D-9, both appear to be independent spirits brimming with energy and new ideas.

Edmond Mack, D-8, is a local attorney at a high-profile law firm praised for his smarts. And James Babcock, D-at large, is the son of the late Mayor Charles Babcock and the late at-large Councilwoman Mary Babcock.

How they blend with the new council and Mayor William J. Healy II remains to be seen.

But city officials are hopeful it will be a smoother transition than when Healy first took office four years ago.

In 2008, Healy assumed office with vigor and strong opinions, rocking the council boat more than once and clashing with a few established council members both in terms of policy and personalities.

Healy’s original safety and service directors also departed following clashes with the mayor over management style and other issues. Since then, the mayor’s Cabinet has largely stabilized.

Disagreements still persist on various issues. And Councilwoman Mary Cirelli, D-at large, and Councilman Greg Hawk, D-1, continue to be frequent critics of the mayor, including over the staffing and funding of the police and fire departments.

But as a whole, since 2008 and 2009, the waters have calmed considerably between council and the mayor.

Majority Leader David Dougherty, D-6, said he expects the start of Healy’s second term to be less contentious.

“I’m hoping that it goes smoother,” said Dougherty, who was not the majority leader at the start of Healy’s first term.

Dougherty pointed out that Bill Smuckler is no longer on council. Smuckler, a longtime councilman and a harsh critic of Healy’s, lost in his bid for mayor in the Democratic primary.

“The election is over,” Dougherty said. “The mayor’s race is over.”

“I think (Healy) has really grown into (the job),” he said.

Running for City Council is one thing. Taking office, learning the ropes and mechanics of city government and responding to the needs of constituents can be overwhelming for newcomers, Dougherty said.

“There’s no exam or book out there that tells you how to do this,” he said.

FRIEND OR FOE?

Through his four years, Healy has fostered strong relationships with a few council members, establishing alliances with Councilwoman Chris Smith, D-4, and Councilman Joe Cole, D-at large.

A few other council members are neither harsh critics nor loyalists. Dougherty and Councilman Patrick Barton, D-7, both have expressed a willingness to work with the mayor, but also have opposed him on some issues. Councilman James Griffin, D-3, appears to take on a similar role.

And counting votes on council is not an exact science. From time to time, Hawk and Cirelli have disagreed on legislation. Smuckler, their former ally, also broke away at times.

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So where does that leave the council newbies? Are they Healy allies, Healy opponents, somewhere in the middle, or does it remain to be determined?

Few would dispute that Babcock is pro Healy. In 2003, Babcock was among the candidates in a crowded Democratic primary for mayor. Babcock and Healy lost to Smuckler, who was defeated by Republican Janet Weir Creighton in the 2003 general election.

Babcock, however, appeared on campaign literature with Healy and Cole this past election. And Babcock, known as “Babby” to many, said he ran for office as a “team” with Healy and Cole.

“I think it’s going to be everybody focusing on what’s good for the city,” Babcock said. “I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of the politics that we’ve seen in the past.

“I think there’s going to be times when council disagrees with the mayor,” he added. “You’ll have (those votes) and everybody will sort of go their separate ways when it’s appropriate.”

Babcock and Fisher previously worked together in the county auditor’s office.

Babcock said he plans to ease into his legislative role. He wants to learn the procedures of introducing legislation.

“It’s a learning experience,” he said. “You don’t go in there and just think you’re going to change things overnight.”

Babcock said he’s acquainted with most of the council members, knowing a handful for a number of years.

Given the current makeup of council, “I think we’re going to have a good working relationship,” he said. “And (Dougherty) is a good leader.”

FISHER AND MORRIS

In 2007, both Fisher and Morris volunteered on the Healy campaign, when he defeated Creighton in a tense race.

Morris has a reputation for being outspoken and candid on government issues. He’s questioned the Healy administration’s handling of ambulance staffing.

Healy previously appointed Morris to the board of park commissioners, a position Morris had to vacate after winning the council seat.

“I’m not going to sit there and keep my head down and my mouth shut for my first term,” Morris said.

“I’ll make mistakes, but the person that doesn’t make any mistakes is the person (who’s) sitting there doing nothing,” he said.

Many city ordinances go unenforced, Morris said. He said he plans to propose amending some “to have a little more bite to them so we can start getting things done.”

Both Morris and Fisher said they will make themselves accessible to residents by holding ward meetings. Both emphasized the importance of seeking the input of constituents.

“Ultimately it’s irrelevant what I think,” Morris said. “I was not elected to represent myself or my own personal agenda.”

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“I’ve definitely made up my mind that I’m not going to be a rubber stamper,” he said. “Anything that gets pushed through council ... if I haven’t read it, I’m not voting for it. I’ll vote no — I owe that to the people.”

“I’ll definitely be someone who’s willing to work with others,” Morris said. “I will not be the type who will go along to get along. I believe with conflict comes change.”

Morris said he would not characterize himself as a maverick. But, he said, he’s also “not going to be a puppet.”

Instead of focusing on who is in or not in the mayor’s political camp, Morris said that council members should “focus on being pro Canton.”

“I do believe this council is going to get along,” he said. “Can I say there’s not going to be any drama — no.”

Fisher studiously has attended council meetings for years. In one instance, while sitting in the audience during a committee session, he researched a constitutional issue on the Internet as it related to a proposed ordinance. Fisher brought it to the law director’s attention and the proposed legislation — pertaining to the regulation of political signs — was modified prior to passage.

“I’d dare anybody to count me as an ally,” Fisher said. “I’d dare anybody to know how I’m going to vote ahead of time, because I’m not built that way.”

“If we can work together on issues we will, if we can’t we won’t,” he added. “That’s not just for the mayor. That’s for anybody.

“I’ve got plenty of friends,” Fisher declared. “What I need is a better government. I’m not here to make friends. ... There’s never anything personal about these things.”

Fisher is in the process of drafting legislation, including an ordinance related to the upkeep of foreclosed properties and the responsibility of banks in the process.

“I didn’t run for office because I have any urge or life dream to answer phone calls about potholes in the middle of dinner,” he said, adding that those problems should be addressed. But “I’m more of an activist than anything else — I have issues I want to see addressed.”

Another idea he has is to live stream council meetings on the city’s website. He’s exploring the technical aspects and any expenses involved. “I campaigned on participatory democracy,” Fisher said.

LOCAL ATTORNEY

Mack is an attorney with Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos & Raies.

He compared representing constituents to his legal work.

“My background as a litigation attorney is going to invariably bleed into what I do (as a councilman),” he said. “ I fight on behalf of my clients in the courtroom every single day.”

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As a councilman, “it’s going to be fighting for the people,” Mack said.

Although every council member is a Democrat, along with the council president and the mayor, Mack does not believe party plays a big part in the work of council.

“I don’t think it matters at all,” he said. “There’s an expression — there’s no Democratic or Republican way to fill a pothole.”